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Toys are significant objects for a child’s cognitive development. They help boost your child’s confidence, improve their motor skill, and help widen their imagination’s horizon. As a mother, I know how much my kids love their toys.
My daughter especially was so attached to her teddy bear Freddie. They were a pair. However, as she got older, I noticed she no longer needed to cuddle Freddie before sleeping off. I knew she was outgrowing her best-stuffed toy; it was a mixed feeling.
This is because it reminded me that my not-so-little baby is transitioning to another developmental stage. So when should we begin to expect our kids to stop playing with toys?
Kids around their adolescence/early teen years are expected to give up on their toys or lose interest in playing with toys. Sometimes this usually happens due to peer pressure.
Truth is, some of this process is inevitable; it may come quicker for some kids and later for others as there is no specific age as to when to expect them to stop playing around with their favorite toys. However, their choice of toys is sure to keep advancing as the years go by. That being said, let’s dig deeper into this topic.
Why Are Toys Necessary For Kids?
Kids do need their toys, and they must have them. Children learn better by playing, experimenting, and exploring. This is where toys come in handy as it allows them to unveil all the possibilities in the world.
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Having fun with toys can be absolute, intriguing, and exciting. Kids always enjoy the stimulation and will take so much pleasure in playing with toys. Here are the reasons why toys are a necessity for kids;
1. Motor Skill Development
Helping your toddler to walk backward or encouraging them to spin in circles are not the only way to improve their motor skill, toys also have a good role to play. Toys are an essential tool for refining a child’s motor skills.
It allows a child to be very innovative and improves their initiative. Getting the hang of navigating a particular toy helps them put their motor skills to use and improve their eye and hand coordination.
2. Emotional Maturity
Toys help kids communicate their feelings better and improve their communication skills. My daughter’s bond with her teddy bear made her experience a lot of feeling like love, care, and responsibility.
She cared so much about her toy that she didn’t like it when he was out of sight for too long. At a very tender age, my daughter had a sense of responsibility which was a good thing.
3. Improves Creativity And Imagination Ability
Children can be very creative with their imaginations, toys on the hand, are useful tools that kids can use to develop creative stories in their minds. Dolls, toy cars, toy animals, toy soldiers, and so on can boost their imagination and gives them a storyline.
What To Do When Kids Stop Playing With Their Toys
Most kids have a favorite toy; you can tell by how much attention they show to the toy. However, there is a high chance that they may lose interest in these toys. When this happens, you may wonder what is the next step to take.
When your child loses interest in his or her favorite toy, it is a clear indication that they have outgrown the toy or gotten tired of it.
This means it is time to get a new toy appropriate for their age. Babies are usually attracted to toys that make sounds; however, as they grow and develop, other appropriate toys. You can also ask them what toy they may be interested in. For cases where they have no idea about what they want, you can take them to a toy store.
Behavioral Patterns Of Kids At Different Age
As kids grow, their preferences will advance or change. It is quite certain that they outgrow some toys, but they mostly do not outgrow playtime. Now let us analyze the appropriate toys for different ages;
1. Babies (Under 1 Year)
As earlier stated, babies are attracted to toys are make sounds. It is best to get them toys that can fit into their hands well enough to carry them around. Teethers are also ideal objects to include in their toy collection. Toys for babies should also be very colorful enough to stimulate them.
2. Toddlers
Toys like lego, puzzles, dolls, craft kits, toy soldiers, toy cars, painting kits, or crayons are appropriate for toddlers between the ages of one to three years. Toddlers are naturally inquisitive, at this stage, they are ready to try out different things.
3. Preschoolers
From 3 – 5 years, kids develop the ability to be creative and imaginative. At this age, they can make up stories and play them out with their toys. Preschoolers are more responsible with their toys and tend to care for them better than when they were much younger. They may even find it hard to share their toys with others.
4. Middle Schoolers
From age six to eleven years, kids may begin to give in to peer pressure, which means they may be too ashamed to admit that they still play with toys. They are more likely to turn a blind eye to all their toys even when they may still be interested in them. Middle schoolers are quite popular for pretending to be who they are not. Video games will be very much appreciated at this stage.
5. Teenage
Here, expect your kid to stop playing with toys as toys no longer cater to their cognitive needs anymore. Their attention is now diverted to real-life interactions with their peers and finding their place in the world.
Conclusion
Toys are very essential objects for every kid. Apart from the fact that it has a developmental impact on them, it can also entertain and excite them, thereby keeping them busy.
However, kids tend to outgrow some toys, and when they do it is time to get other toys that are intriguing enough for their age. It is typical for kids to lose interest in toys in their early teenage years.
